Nolan thriving on the national scene

Wicklow referee, Anthony Nolan, is continuing to climb the intercounty refereeing ladder after recently being put in charge of Division 1 games.

Last weekend it was the clash of Kerry and Westmeath and this weekend he will be the man in the middle for Galway and Monaghan. Nolan says he's delighted to be getting Division 1 games. “Yeah, I was delighted to get them, it's definitely a step up from Division 4, with all due respect but there's bigger expectations on the county's in the higher divisions and bigger crowds, different atmosphere and that kind of thing,” said Nolan.

Despite the surroundings changing Nolan says it's still just a game of football.

“The game doesn't change, the rules don't change, I don't do anything different for a Division 1 game than I would have done for any other division, the game on the pitch is the same,” said Nolan.

The Wicklow whistleblower says while he has been ‘promoted’ to a certain extent there is nothing concrete just yet.

“I think after the national league they sit down and pick their first 16 or whatever they call them and I'd be hopeful of being included but I'm still young,” he said.

“There's plenty of time to make it even if I don't this time around,” he added.